2013 NBA D-League Showcase Schedule Announced

The league's marquee event will once again feature all 16 teams playing two games apiece across four days, in front of scouts, front office personnel and talent evaluators from all over the globe.

Official Release

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Former NBA star Mike James came to the Erie BayHawks just in time to shine in his first game at Showcase 2012. Days later, he earned a Call-Up to the Chicago Bulls.

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NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2012 – The schedule for the four-day, 16-game NBA Development League Showcase, which features all 16 NBA D-League teams competing between Jan. 7-10, 2013, was released today by the League Office. The ninth annual event, hosted again this season by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, will take place at the Reno Event Center in Reno, Nev., home of the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns.

Action tips off Monday, Jan. 7, when the Rio Grande Valley Vipers take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders at 1:00 p.m. ET, and continues with three more contests that day. On Tuesday, the NBA D-League’s newest team, the Santa Cruz Warriors make its Showcase debut, as the team takes on the reigning NBA D-League Champion Austin Toros at 1:00 p.m. ET to start the second day of competition. The day concludes with three more contests. Wednesday's four-game schedule, which begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, will be capped off with a slam dunk competition and a three-point shootout, while Thursday's slate includes four games also beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET.

"This January, the eyes of the NBA will be on Reno," said Bighorns owner, Herb Santos, Jr. "For the second year in a row, Reno will roll out the red carpet for NBA team GMs and scouts as well as NBA D-League teams and fans from all over the United States. Basketball fans will able to watch their favorite NBA D-League players display their skills and show why they are ready for the call to the NBA."

The Bighorns and the NBA D-League Showcase will welcome general managers, player personnel staff, and scouts from each of the 30 NBA teams, who attend to evaluate the league’s top prospects. Conceived prior to the 2004-05 season, the NBA D-League Showcase provides an opportunity for NBA D-League players and coaches to perform in front of key NBA decision makers over four consecutive days at one location.
Fans can buy tickets by visiting www.ticketmaster.com/renobighorns. Once there, they can click on January and click on the Showcase date they would like to attend. Fans can also call the Bighorns front office directly at (775) 853-8220.

Twenty percent of players on 2012-13 NBA start-of-season rosters had NBA D-League experience, many of whom participated in an NBA D-League Showcase since its inception in 2005. During its eight-year history, more than 30 NBA D-League players have earned GATORADE Call-Ups from the NBA D-League to the NBA during or immediately after the NBA D-League Showcase; while an even larger number benefited from the exposure afforded them at the NBA D-League Showcase.

“We are excited to bring the basketball community back to Reno for this year’s NBA D-League Showcase,” Chris Alpert, NBA D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel said. “While the event provides our players with a tremendous opportunity to compete in front of NBA scouts, it also highlights one of our great markets. The Bighorns did a fantastic job hosting the event last season, and the Reno Event Center is a great setting for the basketball community to see the caliber of talent in the NBA D-League first-hand.”

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league. Featuring 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises, the NBA D-League is a proven developer of talent: 27 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season boasted NBA D-League experience, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. As part of the league's landmark deal with YouTube, fans can watch 350 games live and on-demand via NBADLeague.com or the league's YouTube channel.